Thursday Racing Tips: Chief to dominate his rivals from the front

Jump racing holds sway across Britain and Ireland on Thursday, with six meetings taking place across the afternoon and into the evening.

Lingfield opens up the action on the Flat, before racing on the turf at Southwell, Naas and Warwick. There is an evening jumps meeting at Clonmel and an all-weather card from Wolverhampton. Amongst our Thursday fancies is one for trainer Archie Watson, who looks well ahead of the assessor. So - for our Thursday Racing Tips, kindly read on.

14:55 Warwick - Kruger Park @ 8/15

Given we have seen fields of between seven and 14 runners in the 2m5f novices' hurdle in recent years, it's disappointing to see just two runners declared for the contest this year, but it should be a golden opportunity for KRUGER PARK to win again.

Trained by Paul Nicholls, who is bidding to hunt down Dan Skelton in the race for the trainer's championship, the six-year-old produced a career-best performance when bolting up over 2m4½f at Newbury last month.

He relished the heavy ground that day, and with similar conditions forecast he should prove hard to beat. The only rival is Dan Skelton's Theformismighty, but he has to concede effectively 12lb to Kruger Park when you factor in Freddie Gingell's claim.

In fairness, Theformismighty couldn't have been more impressive when winning a Market Rasen maiden hurdle in the manner of a very good horse last time, but he will have to be very good to win on these terms.

15:05 Southwell - Blue Las @ 5/1

Although there are some debutante’s with a nice profile, Neil Mulholland's BLUE LAS can put her limited experience to good use in the 2m mares' bumper for conditional and amateur riders.

The mare is bred to get a trip in time, so a bumper in testing conditions should suit, and she ran well for a long way when fourth to Dunskay at Huntingdon in February when sent off a weak 28/1 chance, beaten just over six lengths for a finish.

Back in fifth on the day was Fergal O'Brien's Shy Love, who came out and won very easily over hurdles since. With the cobwebs blown away, a big run can be expected from Blue Las and Mulholland has a 23 per cent return at the track this season.

17:00 Lingfield - Chiefman @ 4/7

Heavily backed for his handicap debut at Newcastle last week, CHIEFMAN was pushed out under hands and heels inside the final furlong and eased towards the finish to win by four-and-a-half lengths over 1m2f. He will take all the beating again.

Hambleton Racing's son of Cracksman clearly appreciated the step up in trip, and the Archie Watson-trained runner is only 6lb higher in the weights here despite seemingly having at least a stone in hand last week.

Lingfield has been Watson's favourite hunting ground for the last five seasons, returning 4 winners at the track in that time. Despite having the burden of carrying 10-2, he should lead his three rivals a merry dance and forge clear of them in the closing stages at his ease.

Horse Racing tips, from Betfred Insights.